Method and apparatus for filling and cleaning a pulp tower

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for filling and cleaning a pulp tower. The invention is most suitable for filling and cleaning high-consistency pulp towers, bleaching towers, storage tanks and similar towers containing fiber suspensions, of the wood-processing industry. The apparatus and method according to the invention for filling and cleaning a pulp tower, in which method pulp is fed into the pulp tower either through its cover ( 10 ) or at least feed devices ( 24 ) arranged at its top, are characterized in that the space surrounding the feed device ( 24 ) is washable at the same time as the pulp is fed into the tower by means of washing devices ( 28, 30, 32 ) arranged in connection with the feed devices.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for filling and cleaning a pulp tower, comprising:
 providing the pulp tower, the pulp tower comprising a rotatable feed device disposed at a top of the pulp tower, and a washing apparatus provided in connection with the feed device, the washing apparatus comprising washing nozzles configured to supply a washing liquid; 
 feeding pulp into the pulp tower through the top of the pulp tower, or through the feed device; and 
 washing a space surrounding the feed device, while the pulp is fed into the tower. 
 
     
     
       2. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the feed device and the washing apparatus are configured such that the washing liquid and the pulp are fed into the tower substantially in different directions. 
     
     
       3. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein a range of one or more pulp jets discharging from the feed device is changeable in order to evenly fill the tower. 
     
     
       4. A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the range of the pulp jets is changeable by adjusting a rotational speed of the feed device. 
     
     
       5. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein a path inside the tower of one or more pulp jets discharging from the feed device is changeable in order to fill the tower evenly. 
     
     
       6. A method according to  claim 1 , comprising feeding the pulp evenly into the tower on top of a pulp layer currently in the tower. 
     
     
       7. A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising controlling operation of the feed device as a function of tower diameter and a pulp surface level. 
     
     
       8. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the pulp tower further comprises a cover, wherein feeding the pulp comprises feeding the pulp through the cover or through the feed device. 
     
     
       9. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the washing comprises discharging the washing liquid through the washing nozzles. 
     
     
       10. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein any pulp jet fed by the feed device does not hit a wall of the tower. 
     
     
       11. A method for filling and cleaning a pulp tower, the pulp tower comprising a cover, a rotatable feed device, and a washing apparatus, the method comprising:
 feeding pulp into the pulp tower through the cover, or through the feed device; and 
 supplying a washing liquid via the washing apparatus to thereby wash a space surrounding the feed device, during the feeding of the pulp. 
 
     
     
       12. A method according to  claim 11 , comprising feeding the washing liquid and the pulp into the tower substantially in different directions. 
     
     
       13. A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising changing a range of one or more pulp jets discharging from the feed device in order to evenly till the tower. 
     
     
       14. A method according to  claim 13 , wherein changing the range of the pulp jets comprises adjusting a rotational speed of the feed device. 
     
     
       15. A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising changing a path inside the tower of one or more pulp jets discharging from the feed device in order to fill the tower evenly. 
     
     
       16. A method according to  claim 11 , comprising feeding the pulp evenly into the tower on top of a pulp layer currently in the tower. 
     
     
       17. A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising controlling operation of the feed device as a function of tower diameter and a pulp surface level.